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| Church immortalized on Chemical Brothers album cover get protected status |
For devotees of electronic dance music, the distinctive silhouette of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Harlow, Essex, might strike a chord of recognition. The modernist edifice, characterized by its use of brick and reinforced concrete along with a soaring needle spire that punctures the sky, adorned the cover of the Chemical Brothers' iconic 1998 album, "Brothers Gonna Work It Out."
In a move to safeguard its historical and architectural significance, the British government, acting upon the counsel of Historic England, has granted the church a Grade II listing.
It's noteworthy that the inclusion of the church on the album cover did not directly influence its elevated protected status. Rather, the remarkable features that led to its designation include its innovative "in-the-round" layout. This design positions a freestanding altar at the heart of its 500 seats, ensuring visibility for all congregants. Additionally, the church boasts resplendent stained glass windows that drench the interior in a radiant kaleidoscope of colors.
Clare Price from the C20 Society commented, "The effect of walking into the church is uplifting, the feeling of entering a shifting kaleidoscope of colour ... must surely have made many a new town worshipper gasp in astonishment."
The architectural marvel, completed in 1960, was conceived by Gerard Goalen, a British architect revered for his expertise in ecclesiastical structures. Our Lady of Fatima marked his inaugural ecclesiastical project, and four of his churches are now listed as heritage sites.
Goalen's mandate was to create a space capable of accommodating 500 individuals, guided by the principles of the Liturgical Movement, which advocated for active participation of the congregation in worship. A half-decade after Goalen's design came to fruition, the church was constructed in the nucleus of Harlow town.
The church's uniqueness is not confined to its architecture. The dalle de verre window panels, enveloping approximately 60% of the walls, add a distinct character to the building. These panels, meticulously crafted by Benedictine monk Dom Charles Norris of Buckfast Abbey, employ the dalle de verre technique. This approach, which originated in 1930s France, utilizes thick glass chunks, enhancing the intensity of colors when illuminated.
The stained glass windows at Our Lady of Fatima depict the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, in conjunction with the Tree of Jesse and the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima in 1917.
Duncan Wilson, CEO of Historic England, lauded the church, stating, "This stunning church was created as part of the new town of Harlow, offering a brighter and better future in the postwar years, and has been at the heart of the community ever since."
Alan Williams, the bishop of Brentwood, emphasized the uniqueness of the Harlow church, referring to it as "one of the first of its kind and unique for its stained glass."
The Chemical Brothers, initially known as the Dust Brothers, emerged on the scene in 1989, formed by history students Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons at the University of Manchester. The duo has amassed six No. 1 albums, 12 Top 20 singles, and a total of six Grammy awards. Their 2000 Pyramid stage performance at Glastonbury Festival drew one of the largest crowds in the event's history.
As the Chemical Brothers, now in their early 50s, prepare to release a new album in September and headline DJ sets in Ibiza come October, their legacy continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
